US Vice President Kamala Harris leads Republican Donald Trump 44% to 42% in presidential race: Survey

After US President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign on Sunday and passed on the torch to her, Vice President Kamala Harris took a two-percentage-point lead over Republican candidate Donald Trump. The survey was conducted by Reuters/Ipsos poll. 

Last week's poll put Biden two points behind Republican nominee Donald Trump. Now, the new poll conducted on Monday and Tuesday, after the Republican National Convention where Trump formally accepted the nomination and Biden's exit, put Kamala Harris above Donald Trump. 

Kamala Harris led Trump 44% to 42% in the national poll, a difference within the 3-percentage-point margin of error.

The poll was conducted online, and surveyed 1,241 US adults nationwide, including 1,018 registered voters.

Joe Biden, 81, ended his reelection campaign after a debate with Trump in June where he was seen stammering and failed to aggressively challenge attacks by the Republican candidate.

On Wednesday, giving his first remarks after the decision to depart from the 2024 presidential race, Joe Biden said that he withdrew from the race against Republican Donald Trump because he was concerned about the future of the country.

"I revere this office," Biden said. "But I love my country more."

“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation," Biden said.

"The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule. The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America – lies in your hands," Biden added.

READ | 'I revere this office but...': US President Biden addresses decision to drop out of 2024 presidential race